Monday, July 4, 2016

Popping In With Some Patriotic Finishes

Happy 4th of July! It's the final day of a nice long weekend here in the United States and I hope you've enjoyed some time with family and friends like I have. We had our 4th of July get-together with my husband's family in Ohio yesterday--delicious beef tenderloin cooked on the grill, roasted potatoes, creamed corn, strawberry-spinach salad, blueberry-banana bread, apple crisp. Yum... an all-American feast to be sure! What's on your menu for today?

Before I show you my patriotic finishes, I want to thank you so much for the wonderful comments about my previous post and my Patagonia pictures. I tend to use my blog as a kind of journal for not only my stitching, but also traveling, baking, gardening, and wildlife photos, so I'm glad that you enjoy these things just as much as photos of my stitching. Well--almost as much! I think if you're one of my regular visitors, stitching is your true passion and that is why most of you visit, right?

So, I'm happy to report that I have two new patriotic finishes for my red, white, and blue collection... First up, is a this little cutie called "Pop" from Lizzie Kate's Yankee Doodle chart. I used the suggested colors, except for the blue (I substituted WDW's Navy) and stitched this on a 40 ct. burch Newcastle.

Lizzie Kate: Pop!

This came out a bit larger than most of my patriotic smalls... but it still fits nicely in my corner cupboard. I used three different fabrics, some wee gold x's along the seams, and a rusty star to finish it off. The back of the pillow is the same blue and beige star-strewn fabric that is shown in the lower right.

"Pop" all finished up

This is the way I like my fireworks--on fabric! I am not a lover of loud noises and big booms so I tend to stay away from crowds and live fireworks and typically enjoy my Fourth of July nights watching "A Capitol Fourth" on television. How about you?

I can't seem to get away from my love of stitching tiny things on black so this next finish was perfect for me... This star is from the Prairie Year-Rounds (Book No. 52) by Prairie Schooler. I used 28 ct. black Monaco and stitched it "over one" so it turned out very small--I love it!

Prairie Schooler star

I had a round finish in mind and thought that the little plate like discs that I've used in two previous finishes would be perfect for this one, too.

Prairie Schooler finish from Book No. 52

Here is my latest finish along with the Freedom Crow finish from a couple of years ago. If you'd like to read more about the little discs and the Freedom Crow finish, just click here. I really love how crisp and clean these look when all finished up.

Two of my favorite red-white-and-blue finishes

I've tried to stitch at least two patriotic things each summer since I began my blog back in 2009 so, by now, I've developed quite a collection. During the year I keep them in a drawer of an old dresser which you can see below.

A drawer full of patriotic pillows

As most of my long-time readers know, I usually put them in a wooden bowl for display, but my bowl is now too small. So, this year, I decided to move all of them into my corner cupboard where they will spend the summer.

Kitchen corner cupboard

I'll move in a bit so you can get a closer look...

Do you have a favorite?

Still not close enough? Here are the top two shelves...

And here's the bottom shelf...

I'll probably leave these on display until Labor Day and then change them out for fall stitching... I love the spot of color these give my kitchen--makes me almost want to stand up a salute!

I'm happy to report that my youngest son returned safely from China, tired, but filled with stories of his travels. He said it was amazing how many Chinese people came up to him and wanted to have their picture taken with him and his two friends just because they were westerners with light skin. At first, it was quite novel, but by the end of the trip he said it was a bit annoying. Just imagine being a celebrity--no thank you!! Along the way, he messaged me the sweetest photo. He was in a restaurant in Shanghai and one of the menu items was translated into "I Love You, Mom" so he snapped a photo and said it made him "think of me." Awww...

An interesting name for a dish on a Chinese menu!

He got to spend an entire week with us before he headed back to Washington, D.C., so we heard quite a bit about his trip, but still haven't seen many photos as he wanted to edit them first. While he was on his trip, he sent this one which I'm sure all of you recognize as a small slice of the Great Wall. Have any of you been there? When I forwarded the photo to my mom she said, "I still can't believe my grandson is over in China!" How the world has shrunk with modern day travel and internet... Back when she was young, such travel would have been almost unheard of!

The Great Wall of China: June 2016

As much as my youngest enjoyed his trip, 10 days was enough for him and he couldn't wait to get back to the good old U.S.A. One son safe and sound at home, but tomorrow my middle son leaves for two weeks in Japan! Time to start worrying again... as many of you said in your comments last time: a mother never stops worrying!

So, that's it for today... I hope all of my readers here in the United States have a wonderful and safe 4th of July... And for my dear international friends, I hope this is the start of a relaxing week for each of you! Bye for now...

68 comments:

Love, love, love all your patriotic pieces Carol! Your new ones are fabulous too! What a nice collection! Glad your son made it back safely ..too funny about all the photos:) Happy 4th of July and thank you so much for all your sweet comments!!

Hello Carol - so lovely to read your post! What brilliant patriotic stitching and finishing - love them all, and all the bright, bold colours. I hope you are all having a wonderful Independence Day today! Amazing photos - glad your son is home safe and well. Will email soon - things still busy here, but not as bad! Have a wonderful day - hope you find time to put your feet up with some stitching!Take care, dear friend,Love,Lynda.

Hi Carol, Your patriotic finishes fit quite nicely in your corner cabinet. Each one is perfect. Every post on your blog is a pleasure to read: stitching, baking, traveling, gardening and wildlife is so well written about! It is wonderful for your sons to travel as they do. I totally understand the worry. No plans for today. I love fireworks, but I don't think we will see them this year. Maybe I will try the tv show! Happy 4th.

Wishing you a happy and safe 4th! We went to see fireworks last night since we have to work tomorrow. So glad you got to spend some time with your son after his trip to China. I'm sure you got to hear some great stories from him!

Oh my goodness, your finishes are so motivational, they made me want to get off the couch and stitch! I love this year's patriotic stitches, they're lovely. Pop is very cute. I just love your corner cupboard.:) You have an expert eye for arrangement! Happy 4th!

What fabulous new additions to your patriotic collection! I like how you have them displayed in your corner cupboard this year. Happy to hear your youngest is back home! Will be thinking of your middle son as he heads off on his adventure. Happy Independence Day, my friend.

I look so forward to all your blogs and your newest stiching & finishing to show us. You NEVER disappoint! You really ROCK our stitching world....Your boys certainly are seeing the world. Hope their journeys continue to be full of adventure and return safely back to the USA!!!

Hi Carol! I love your patriotic pieces. I really need to do some. I get so excited by all the displays I see for July 4th and have to confess that I don't tend to decorate for Canada Day. Your corner cabinet is so beautiful and shows off your stitching beautifully. I am so glad your youngest son is home and I know you will be happy/relieved when your middle son returns from his trip but what incredible opportunities for them.Thanks as always for the beauty and inspiration from your blog,hugs, Wanda

That little PS flag star is fabulous. Over one on black - you're amazing. I think the hutch looks great and every piece can be seen better. Glad you are done worrying about one son, but starting for another!! That wall is something isn't it?

So glad your son is back, safe and sound. But what wonderful memories he will have! I love all of your projects. I don't think I could pick any one favorite. I have to tell you, i just placed my first order to 123 Stitch. And it's all your fault! Lol! Just kidding:) You have inspired me and I got several CCN and PS. I will be bringing a project with me on vacation next week. Have a great week, friend!

Fourteen Independence Day stitched ornaments...I counted! Haha. I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but when the fireworks are going off right across the street instead of a planned town-sponsored event and my cats are running for their lives (they think), yes, I don't care for the booming. That's a story for another time! Love all your patriotic finishes, they're beautiful. Sounded like a great holiday your family had!

I'm so glad to end the day with your lovely post, while my neighbors send their dollars skyward with pops and bangs. So much better to stitch something you can take out and display every year. Happy Fourth!

What a wonderful display of patriotic finishes. I am glad you leave them up for a while so that you can enjoy them. I especially like the one with the three flags as the design. Thanks for sharing - I enjoy seeing how you creatively finish each of your stitches.

Hi Carol,Your collection of patriotic pillows is really beautiful!Glad to hear that your son came back safe and sane, I know what it means to stay home waiting and worrying because my husband travels for his work, and not in nice places... but he chose his own way and I accept it of course. At the moment both my kids are teenagers so they don't travel alone so much, but in a few years I know I will have to worry about 3 instead of one!Have a nice day!

Hi Carol, Lovely patriotic finishes. My favourite(s) is one with USA in pink ad the one with heart shape. Like you I'm not a fan of fireworks either,mainly because it causes so much pollution. However after reading your post, I can't help but remember the lovely small scale fireworks we saw at Biloxi beach in 2008 when me & hubby were there for business.I haven't been to Great Wall of China,another addition to bucket list :)

Another lovely post.Love your new stitching , lovely strong colours .Love your display ,wonderful.So happy your son had a good time . Always nice to have them home too.Sounds like you had a wonderful July 4th.Have a beautiful week hugs.

Lovely stitching and finishing as always Carol. Lovely collections of patriotic theme and they do make a statement in the corner cabinet. Wishing you and family a Happy 4th of July!Time flies when you are having a good time with your love ones. Glad your son enjoyed his trip. Seriously I've not been to the Great Wall myself, LOL, but then again its almost 3hours flight to Beijing from where I am. It's a long weekend for us here this week, celebrating the Eid Fitri festival.Wishing you wonderful rest of the week.

Happy "belated" Fourth of July, dear friend. I hope you enjoyed even the last day of your wonderful patriotic weekand!Your stitchings are amazing - both of them. But the one on the black fabric and finished in the red plate is my favourite.

So glad to read that your youngest is back home from his journey to China. Both pictures you shared are wonderful. Isn't it wonderful, that the young one travel the world as if it were a matter of course? But I really know what you feel about as mother ... I do the same on my son.

I love your patriotic finishes drawer Carole,a wonderful collection of stitching.No favourites,they look great together on your corner cabinet.That is a fantastic photo of the Great Wall,so glad your son is home safe.Our younger son and fiance had two weeks holiday in Japan a few weeks ago,travelled a lot and loved it.It is so clean in the cities,beautiful countryside,friendly,if reserved people and like your son in China ours was asked for photos.A six foot four inch englishman with a copper coloured beard with his five foot five fiance was a quite a novelty! They want to go again in the future they liked it so much.Hope your son has a fantastic time.

Such great new patriotic finishes to add to your wonderful collection. I particularly love the round finishing, and I love how you display them in your corner cupboard, it would have been sad to leave them all in the drawer. It makes such a great decoration for the 4th of July, and for summer, too.

I can imagine how glad you were when your son returned sound and safe from China. Not only when your mother was young but still when I was young it was impossible to think of traveling into such faraway countries as China. I was also traveling a lot when I was young, much more than many others my age. But only in Europe. But my children have already seen a lot more of the world than I have. And I love it. Although I am also always worrying when I know that they are far away :) Seems to be very common with us mothers, lol.

I love the little disc finishes. So cute. I think my over-all favorite is the red, white and blue house with the flag and 1776 stitched above. Someone posted some patriotic stitching today that reminded me that I can't find one of mine. Hmmm. I've looked everywhere. Wonder where it went. I'm going to have to devise a better storage system. I have empty drawers....

I can't remember the last time we went to see fireworks. Two of my three kids don't like them. I don't like the crowds. Or more accurately, being in a crowd where everyone will be leaving at the same time. Now that fireworks can be legally sold in NYS we have a neighbor that puts on quite a show every year. We can lay in bed and watch them out the window. Now, that's my idea of watching fireworks!

How lovely are your patriotic pillows and a round finish is excellent idea. I like red, white and blue combination, it is so cheery. You have awesome collection patriotic finishes and they look beautiful together.

I'm glad your son is home safe and well. I also know how mothers are always worried about when their children are abroad. I have three boys too.

I just love seeing your finished projects! Your patriotic display is so great--so many wonderful pieces! I think my favorite is Old Glory... which has now reminded me to stitch my own!!! Glad your youngest son got back safe and sound. Wonderful shot of the Great Wall of China!! The story about the pictures reminded me of when I was about 19, working in San Francisco... in the middle of town, near the Civic Center/City Hall. At least on two occasions that I recall, some oriental tourists asked if they could have a picture taken with me!! It was amusing! Thanks for sharing!

I still can't believe what eyes(ight) you have! To love stitching on black and over one at that! I was sewing black linen and when I had to unpick some stitches my eyes were not happy! But you have the gift, and such lovely finishes too.

So sweet of your son to send you that photo and message, and glad that he is home safe. I wouldn't worry too much about your other son going to Japan. It is a much different place than China I think.

Oh! I love them all! We sort of 'missed' celebrating Canada Day this year with all our house moving preparations, so I have really been enjoying other peoples patriotic stitches. Enjoy your summer!Jenn M

I so enjoyed your patriotic stitching. I have tried to find the Long Legged bird design on line no luch - I really feel I must have it. I have seen the other long legged birds at my LNS. So I feel a trip is in order. Thank you so much for sharing

Lovely patriotic finishes, and I love how your cupboard looks with all your patriotic stitches together! Glad your youngest is home. Yes, I've been to the Great Wall. I went back in 1981. Loooong ago. lolol! It was a very different China back then from what your son experienced -- China just getting out of the whole restrictive Mao period. Still a lot of those Mao uniforms around at that time.

Sorry your middle one is off on adventures to Japan. I know you will be worrying -- but he'll have fun, and be able to tell you all about it when he gets back!

You just have sons that love the challenge of travel. My DD was like that until about 35. Then she seemed to want to be settled. At least we get to see lots of the world with children like that. We would never have found Washington if it had not been for her. I love all the patriotic pieces. If I have to pick a favorite, it would be the one on the middle shelf with the sailboat and the 3 little houses. I hope your 4th was a happy one.

What a wonderful display of beautiful patriotic stitching Carol, so bright and happy looking in your corner cupboard. Super interesting post and I love the photo of the Great Wall and the I love you Mom menu, Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July.

My favorite would be the whole lot! I love your whole collection. I've also stitched LK's Pop and had it framed years ago. I put it out every year and finally noticed a couple of years ago that the framer put it in upside down. Obviously, it wasn't that noticeable or either my eyes aren't as good as I thought! Thanks for sharing.

Wow! Your family is so adventurous, always up to something exciting! Thanks for showing your patriotic cabinet, it looks so great with all your red, white, and blue accessories to complement your lovely stitched pieces. I really love the finish for the PS star in the red plate. That really stands out among the others and is very unique.

And I am with you on the fireworks - I do not like them either. This weekend, our neighbors display was so loud that my husband and I couldn't even hear each other talk inside our own home. And it went on for 2 hours! Just absurd how much money people spend on fireworks!

As always, love seeing all your lovely pictures of stitching and life.Emily

What a gorgeous collection of patriotic finishes that you're still adding to Carol! I really love the new LK finish but I think my favourite has to be Old Glory, I think the way you finished that one is just perfect. They all look so beautiful displayed in your cabinet.Yes we mothers do worry don't we? Just be proud of yourself for raising such amazing children with the confidence to travel the world.

I love all your patriotic stitching! I think that about 5 of them are my favorite! I am working on a Country Cottage Needleworks design now to build up my patriotic stitching a bit - I only have one I display that I made many years ago. Glad your son made it back safely - I've been to Shanghai twice for work and I'd like to go back and see more of the country, especially outside of the giant cities! Hope you've had a great week and have a good weekend!

I love the new additions to your already impressive collection, Carol!!! And speaking of impressive - the photo of the Great Wall of China! It sounds like you have a couple of real adventurers on your hands. : ) I would say don't worry, but I know mothers just worry. I'm sure he will come back safely full of stories to tell.

Carol, as usual, what a beautiful collection, this time of patriotic pieces. Over 1 is amazing work, always immaculate.Dare I tackle that sometime!! So thankful for children safely returning home. Hope all else is good in your world.

Your little corner cabinet looks so lovely decked out with patriotic finishes, cant choose a favourite, you always pick such delightful fabrics to match the designs and finishings trims etc that look so perfect.Loved the menu, that was a special moment for a mother to get that snap.Safe travels for your adventurer in Japan.love and {hugs} x

I just discovered your blog and have enjoyed reading about all of your adventures and looking at all of your beautiful cross stitch. All of your red, white and blue theme items are amazing. I have just started stitching again and seeing all of your beautiful items is very inspiring! Do you have any suggestions for Halloween ornaments? Thank you for sharing your life and beautiful cross stitch. Connie

Welcome!

Welcome ~ I'm so glad you've dropped in for a visit! I love getting to know fellow cross stitchers from around the world, discovering new stitching blogs, and being inspired by your work. I hope you enjoy your visit today and thanks for taking the time to say "hello!"Carol